Eagle Farm hosts a 9-race card with the Queensland Oaks being the feature race of the day, but plenty of other listed races on the card. The first race commences at 11:53am AEST and the last concludes at 4:29pm AEST. rail is out 2.5m the entirety after being in the TRUE position last week when it was no disadvantage edging off the fence – selections are for a GOOD track with fine weather predicted.
Find Shannon Buckley’s best bets for Eagle Farm below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country this Saturday!
Eagle Farm Racing Tips: Saturday, June 8th 2024
Race 5: Nuturf Spear Chief Hcp 1500m – 2:03pm (AEST)
(8) Wategos $3.00: the market has it a race in two, but I’m happy his way. It was a nice return over 1100m at Rosehill when he was in an impossible position turning for home before warming up nicely late (loved the way he went through the line). He went to 1200m second-up at Newcastle and it was a total forgive job. He was caught 3&4 wide the entirety on a heavy track and nothing went right. He stepped out to 1350m at Doomben LS with 61.5kgs on his back and he brained them winning by 2.4L running away (visually impressive and backed up on the clock – best L200m split of the race). He plummets 6.5kgs to help offset the rise in grade today, draws a low gate, gets Orman up, will be hitting peak fitness fourth-up, and he’ll appreciate the extra trip. I expect him to run well.
(3) Yellow Brick $2.45: The favourite of the race and is expected to be with his resume. Gets James McDonald into the saddle for the first time too which is a big confidence booster for the punters as he hasn’t won in his last two preps. Third up today and goes well on the weather effected decks. Worth thought for sure.
(4) Coastwatch $7.50: Backed this fella at big odds last start where he was impressive. Hit the line nicely and I think the longer trip suits even better. Terrific on the soft and Nash Rawiller rides. Respect at odds.
(8) Wategos
$3.00 (3 Units)
Race 6: Ascot Green Queensland Day Stakes 1200m - 2:38pm (AEST)
(14) Fortuneer $9.50/$2.90: 3YO filly who’s on the upward spiral and is one of the better value runners of the day. She was impressive winning all three of her starts last prep which culminated in a dominant victory over 1300m where she beat RINGER’S REWARD et al (huge gap to third). First-up this preparation she was heavily backed (SP’d $3.25) over 1110m before getting shuffled back to worse than midfield and gave herself too much to do. To my eye it looked like she was run off her legs a little early, but then warmed up nicely late to hit the line hard (best L200m split of the race) behind TIGER SHARK (also here). Although she meets TIGER SHARK worse at the weights after being beaten by her, I think the extra trip and the run under the belt are big ticks in her favour. Draws gate 2 today so I’m hoping Mick Dee can settle a little closer in the run and have her within striking distance. I think she can measure up.
(1) Hedged $2.50: Remains at 1200m where he faded as $1.80 favourite last outing. Draws 7 and should get a sit in during transit this time allowing for late sprint. Needs to improve off last start.
(6) Skirt The Law $13/$3.50: 3YO filly we were on last start and only missed by less than a length, although finished 4th and we missed the each way play. Third up now and will only be improving with the increased trip.
(14) Fortuneer E/W
$9.50/$2.90 (1 Unit)
Race 7: Magic Millions National Classic 1600m 3:13pm (AEST)
(1) La Criquel $2.30: She’s the best weighted horse of the day and looks incredibly hard to beat. NZ mare who arrives with a month between runs when she narrowly missed behind KARMAN LANE in a G3 over 1400m (SP’d $2.10). Before that, she was a dominant winner in the G1 Otaki-Maori Classic over a mile after quickening nicely inside the final 400m or so. She draws a lovely gate, gets J-Mac to steer, every other runner needs to give her weight under set weight conditions, she has a terrific record on good and soft tracks, and she gets back out to the mile. She’s the best horse in the race, in my humble.
(5) Zoes Promise $15.00: going to save on this mare who comes through the key lead-up race behind MARACANA (also here) when she led them up before fading late. She went almost 7L above average to the 600m mark and set it up for the swoopers who collared her inside the final furlong. I thought she actually stuck on quite well, all things considered. She meets her rivals out of that race better at the weights and I doubt they’ll go that hard again today. She’ll derive benefit from the run as she’s still third-up, they’ll roll forward from the gate to put her in the race, and the last time she was at Eagle Farm she was a dominant winner with 60kgs on her back. She can hit back hard.
(7) Fall For Cindy $7.50/$2.25: 4YO mare who is in terrific form and looking to make it three in a row. Jamie KAH stays in the saddle. One for the exotics.
Also Backing: (5) Zoes Promise $15.00 (1 Unit)
(1) La Criquel
$2.30 (4 Units)
